NUS Alumni Network Manila Attends the 59th Singapore National Day in Manila

On 31 August 2024, the Faculty of Dentistry's Class of 2014 gathered to celebrate a milestone—a decade since they donned their caps and gowns and embarked on their professional journeys. The reunion, held at Aria Atelier, was more than just a gathering; it was a celebration of memories, accomplishments, and enduring friendships.

Former classmates, now accomplished dentists, arrived with their families in tow, a testament to the growth and changes the past ten years had brought. The event officially kicked off with a welcome speech from the class representative, reminiscing about their days in dental school, the late-night study sessions, the challenges they faced, and the bonds that were formed. There was a shared sense of pride in how far they had all come, both personally and professionally.

This was followed by a commemorative video screening. The video, carefully curated by a group of alumni, was a poignant trip down memory lane. It featured a montage of photos and videos from their time in dental school—classroom moments, practical sessions, social gatherings, and graduation day. It was a powerful reminder of the strong bond that had been forged during their years of study.

After the video, it was time for the photo-taking session. The children joined in, adding a playful element to the otherwise formal photo session. The evening continued with a cake-cutting ceremony, symbolising the sweet successes of the past decade. The cake, designed in the shape of the number "10," was a beautiful representation of their journey together.

As the night drew to a close, there was a shared acknowledgment that while their professional paths might have diverged, the bonds they had formed in those early years of their careers remained as strong as ever. Promises were made to keep in touch, and plans were discussed for the next reunion.

The 10-year anniversary celebration of the Faculty of Dentistry's Class of 2014 was more than just a reunion; it was a celebration of the past, a recognition of the present, and a hopeful look toward the future. The evening was a beautiful reminder that no matter where life takes them, they will always share a common bond, rooted in those transformative years spent together.

The National University of Singapore (NUS) Alumni Network Manila held its much-anticipated Cocktails and Connections 2 Networking Lunch, bringing together nearly 50 alumni and guests for an afternoon of connection and conversation.

The event took place at Mijo Comfort Food, a renowned Spanish restaurant in Poblacion, Makati City, recently featured in the Tatler Dining Guide 2024. The event began with a social mixer at 11.30am, allowing attendees to reconnect and engage with fellow NUS graduates across various schools and faculties, including Business, Arts and Social Sciences, Design and Engineering, Law, Medicine, Yale-NUS, and more. Also present in the event were three special guests from the Harvard Club of the Philippines.

A highlight of the event was the presence of the special guest, Department of Education Secretary Juan Edgardo "Sonny" Angara, an alumnus of Xavier School, the London School of Economics, the University of the Philippines College of Law, and Harvard Law School. Secretary Angara delivered an inspirational speech, sharing some of the Department of Education’s planned reforms for education in the Philippines, including the importance of raising the quality of teachers and implementing changes in educational curriculums.

The short programme officially commenced at 12.00nn with welcome remarks from Mr. Nestor Precioso (Science, ’06), Vice Chairperson of the NUS Alumni Network Manila. This was followed by an update on the remaining activities for 2024 by Mr. Richard Tan (Public Policy ’13), the Chairperson. Mr. Juan Paolo Artiaga (Public Policy ’24) introduced Secretary Angara, setting the stage for his engaging and motivational address.

Following the programme, attendees enjoyed a networking lunch, where the guests enjoyed various dishes such as calamares, aligue gambas, lechon sisig, pork tomahawk, and paella theresa. In the spirit of giving back, the event also featured a voluntary contribution drive, with attendees donating a minimum of Php500 (around S$12) to support an NUS Cares initiative set to launch in the last quarter of 2024. The contributions will help fund various community projects identified by the chapter. The event concluded well past 2.00pm, leaving attendees with a sense of fulfillment and anticipation for future gatherings.

On a delightful evening recently, NUS College alumni gathered for an unforgettable Alumni Trivia Night, filled with challenging questions, hearty laughs, and a wonderful sense of camaraderie. Hosted by our enthusiastic alumni co-hosts, Law Zhe Wen (Engineering + USP '15) and Elliot Tan (Business + USP '15), the event brought together former classmates and new friends, all united by the shared connection to NUSC.

The trivia competition was fierce but friendly, with participants showcasing impressive knowledge across various categories. From brain-busting questions that had everyone scratching their heads to moments of sheer brilliance, the evening was a true celebration of intellect and community spirit. Did you know that the term “spa” is derived from the town of Spa in Belgium, known for its mineral-rich waters since Roman times? Or that the Challenger Deep in the Mariana Trench is the Earth's deepest point, reaching depths of 10,994 meters?

Congratulations to our trivia champions, who walked away with exciting prizes including meals at the Cinnamon Dining Hall, a bottle of champagne, and CapitaLand vouchers sponsored by fellow alums. These rewards added an extra layer of excitement and friendly competition to the night. Thank you to everyone who participated and contributed to making Alumni Trivia Night a fun evening.

Alumni, friends, staff and students gathered on 26 April 2024 for our “Last Lecture Dinner” to celebrate the 95th anniversary of the Faculty of Science.

Mr Alex Tee shared insights from his personal journey of growth and moments of vulnerability, and how these experiences made him flourish and feel invigorated. He encouraged attendees to embrace meaningful risks and shared some ideas on how to start: Is there a conversation you need to have? Is there a person you need to pursue? Is there a sacrifice you need to make? Is there a project you need to start?

Following the lecture, alumni spanning from the class of '78 to recent graduates engaged in a lively game of human Bingo, fostering camaraderie over good food and wine.

The Pharmacy Alumni Group and Department are delighted by the evening's success and eagerly anticipate future alumni gatherings.

On Wednesday, 24 April 2024, the NUS College of Design and Engineering (CDE) Class Ambassador Network (CCAN) hosted an engaging and dynamic event aimed at fostering alumni connections and engagement. Held at the NUSS Kent Ridge Guild House, the event brought together esteemed alumni and faculty members, for an evening filled with insightful discussions, networking opportunities, and collaborative brainstorming sessions.

The event commenced with a warm welcome address by Associate Professor Teo Chiang Juay, the Assistant Dean of CDE Alumni Relations. Professor Teo set the tone for the evening by emphasising the importance of alumni engagement and the pivotal role that CCAN plays in strengthening ties between alumni and the department. He highlighted upcoming events, provided updates on ongoing activities, and encouraged attendees to actively participate and contribute to the vibrant alumni community.

A series of enriching sessions followed, beginning with a comprehensive sharing session on Class Ambassador initiatives, upcoming events, and ongoing activities. Attendees were encouraged to link back to the department and connect on LinkedIn to stay updated and engaged. As the evening progressed, attendees enjoyed a delightful buffet dinner while engaging in networking sessions. The relaxed ambiance provided the perfect backdrop for meaningful conversations and the exchange of ideas.

The highlight of the event was a stimulating discussion on alumni engagement. Participants actively participated in brainstorming sessions, exploring innovative ideas for collaborations and initiatives that would further enhance alumni involvement. Alumni shared their experiences and insights, underscoring the importance of staying connected and giving back to the alma mater.

In his closing remarks, Professor Heng Chye Kiang, the Deputy Dean of Research and Innovation, expressed gratitude to all attendees for their active participation and enthusiasm throughout the event. He highlighted the positive impact of the gathering in fostering new connections, extending networks, and strengthening the bonds within the alumni community. Professor Heng emphasised the significance of alumni engagement in driving the department's continued success and called for continued support and involvement from all alumni. Attendees departed with renewed enthusiasm and a sense of camaraderie, it was evident that CCAN's commitment to alumni engagement continues to resonate strongly within the community, promising a future filled with collaboration, innovation, and shared success.

To find out more about the event, please visit the CDE Alumni Relations website at https://cde.nus.edu.sg/alumni/happenings/ca-network-2024/.

In keeping with the upcoming season of art festivals in Hong Kong, we held an art jam cum dinner at Artjamming Studio. It was a balmy evening and we sat outdoors on a patio amidst the industrial buildings of Wong Chuk Hang in the south of Hong Kong. We ordered some food from HoHon Eatery. To get better value from our small budget, we did the food pick-up ourselves, ordered wine from a wine cellar, and bought chocolates, cheese and pate from the store. This allowed us to have a sumptuous spread. The artjamming session was very educational as the instructor is an architect who is passionate about art and painting and has a unique way of teaching complete beginners, which she calls “building a pizza”. Everyone had plenty to eat and drink, ended up with a piece of art they could take home (most chose to paint a tote bag which they could use!), and made some new friends. Overall, a successful event given the many thank you messages I received after the event!

Submitted by Diana Ng (Arts and Social Sciences '91) 

Over the span of ten weeks from mid-January to end March 2024, a group of ten alumni gathered weekly in a classroom at NUS College (NUSC).

Guided by Professor Philip Holden and co-facilitator Bianca Tham (Arts and Social Sciences + USP ’17), we embarked on a self-exploratory journey through the Guided Autobiography (GAB) class. GAB is a practice that helps participants reflect on and re-story their lives in a supportive environment. Each week, participants delved into themed writing exercises by drawing upon memories or past experiences, and subsequently sharing their stories with the group.

Started in 2022, this was the third run of the GAB class organised by NUSC, which is open to alumni participants from NUSC, the University Scholars Programme (USP), and Yale-NUS.

Initially drawn to GAB with the intention to reflect, process my past and gain perspective into my life, I found myself enriched beyond measure by the ten-week class. Themes such as “major branching points in life”, “family”, “life’s work”, “health and well-being”, “gender identity”, “navigating differences” and “death and dying”, led me to explore a different window in my past each passing week. The reading aloud of stories was unexpectedly therapeutic and cathartic. Listening to the stories shared by the group also provided me a window into their life, fostering a deeper appreciation of the diverse journeys of others. Often, the class was filled with joy and laughter, sometimes grief and tears, but mostly it was a strong and trusted circle of support, affirmation, appreciation and connectedness.

I am grateful to NUSC and the Alumni Relations team for organising the class, and most of all, to Prof Holden and Bianca for volunteering their time; skillfully and thoughtfully bringing the group of alumni together; enabling us to review our life; rediscover our strengths; reaffirm our values and chart a purposeful way forward. Indeed, GAB was a transformative journey for us, in the full alumni spirit of continuous learning and growth, no less!

Submitted by Yvonne Ng (Science + USP '05)

The President’s Dialogue with Alumni, held on 12 March 2024 at the NUSS Kent Ridge Guild House, was a gathering filled with camaraderie, inspiration, and meaningful connections.

The event brought together esteemed alumni from the College of Design and Engineering (CDE), along with distinguished guests from the National University of Singapore (NUS) leadership. Six notable CDE alumni were specially invited to the lunch, alongside NUS Deputy President (Academic Affairs) and Provost Professor Thean Voon-Yew Aaron; CDE Acting Dean Professor Teo Kie Leong; CDE Assistant Dean (Alumni Relations) Associate Professor Teo Chiang Juay; and Chief Alumni Officer Ms. Ovidia Lim-Rajaram.

The highlight of the event was a captivating presentation by Ms. Anthea Foong, who shared her remarkable life journey with the audience. From her humble beginnings as an undergraduate at NUS to her endeavours as an entrepreneur and national fencer, Ms. Foong's story resonated deeply with everyone present, leaving an impression of resilience, determination, and success.

The atmosphere during the dialogue was vibrant and engaging, as attendees strengthened old connections and forged new ones. The exchange of ideas and experiences among alumni was both lively and fruitful, facilitated by the congenial ambiance and the delectable spread of food. The event concluded on a high note, leaving attendees feeling invigorated and inspired by the achievements and aspirations of their fellow alumni. It was indeed a testament to the enduring legacy of NUS and the profound impact of its alumni community.

To find out more about the event, please visit the CDE Alumni Relations website at https://cde.nus.edu.sg/alumni/happenings/presidents-dialogue-with-alumni-2024/.